I'm building a SaaS with ZERO AI features in 2026
The author reflects on their previous experience with AI-driven SaaS products and acknowledges the challenges faced in delivering value. They are now developing a new SaaS product that focuses on user engagement without relying on AI features. The goal is to provide a user-focused dashboard to help founders analyze user activity and improve communication.
- ▪The author previously built an AI-driven SaaS but found it challenging to deliver consistent value.
- ▪They are now creating a product that focuses on user engagement without AI features.
- ▪The new SaaS will provide a dashboard to help founders understand user activity and follow-up needs.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
I got caught up in the AI SaaS hype before.At the time, it felt like every SaaS idea needed an AI angle. I built one too, and for a while it felt exciting. But looking back, I think I misunderstood where the actual value of the product should come from.The main issue was that the product’s “aha moment” depended too much on the AI being good. As a small founder, that is a strange position to be in. You are building the product, but most of the user experience depends on model quality, latency, inference cost, and expectations shaped by much larger AI companies.This time, I’m avoiding that.I’m working on a SaaS product where value doesn't come from a model generating something impressive.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Ycombinator.